Cork group raises €50k for research

This week is World Parkinson’s Awareness Week - which runs from 11-17 April - and to mark it, Cork Parkinson’s Association has raised the impressive sum of €50,000 to fund research at UCC.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, after dementia. It is a complex condition, and symptoms include tremor, rigidity, and slowed movement. Unfortunately there is currently no cure, but there is much that can be done to improve symptoms through medications, medical devices and other self-management strategies.

The Parkinson’s Disease Research Cluster (PDRC) was formed in UCC in 2013. This multidisciplinary group of researchers and health professionals are focused on producing high-quality research. This research is planned and performed together with people with Parkinson’s, to address issues that are important to people living with the condition.

The Cork Parkinson’s Association (CPA) donation of €50,000 to the PDRC will seed a number of future research projects.

“We wish to thank the CPA for their support and collaboration over the years. The CPA donation to the PDRC reflects the value of meaningful teamwork and alliance amongst those with shared goals, when the patient voice remains central to guiding and informing the process,” commented Dr Suzanne Timmons, a consultant geriatrician and professor at UCC, and current Chair of the PDRC.

As part of World Parkinson’s Awareness week, CPA organised a virtual spring conference yesterday, Wednesday, in partnership with the PDRC to share some of the most important research findings and clinical developments over the past 12 months with CPA members.

Tony Wilkinson from CPA stated before the event: “We will have four key speakers discussing various elements of Parkinson’s research to help anyone living with Parkinson’s, or anyone in a medical or support role, learn more about the effective care and management of the disease.”